b. 09/10/1839 Woodford County, Illinois. d. 22/08/1905 Centerburg, Ohio.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 02/04/1865 Petersburg, Virginia.
Abner P Allen MOH
Allen was born in Woodford County, Illinois. He joined the 39th Illinois infantry Regiment from Bloomington, Illinois in January 1864, and mustered out with his regiment on December 6, 1865.
By the time the 39th was involved in the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, Allen was a corporal in Company K. When the regiment (as part of the XXIV Corps under Major General John Gibbon) was assaulting Fort Gregg on April 2, 1865 under heavy fire, he was at the front as a color bearer.
At the surrender ceremony at Appomattox Courthouse a week later, Allen was given the honor of carrying Illinois’ flag. He later traveled to Washington, D.C. with General Gibbon and 76 captured Confederate colors. He received his medal there from Secretary of War Edwin Stanton on April 12th 1865.
MOH CITATION:
Gallantry as color bearer in the assault on Fort Gregg.
BURIAL LOCATION: CENTERBURG CEMETERY, CENTERBURG, OHIO.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
